Engine for operating clutches or other devices



(No Model.)

- I v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. J1 K. HOWE & J. CLARK. v ENGINE FOR OPERATING GLUTGHES OR OTHER DEVIGES..

Patented Dec. 18,1894. -5 8. a e. 2e v 'gati' 27': i as;

X- J "3' F H 1 5' \1 6' "X |5----- x E I --7 0 IO--- -B IS WITNESSES: Y NVENTORS:

JOHN K.HOWE AND JAMES CLARK, S PM in? (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. K. HOWE & iJ. CLARK. ENGINE FOR OPERATING GLUTGHES OR OTHER DEvIcEs.

I No. 530,994. Patented Dec. 18, 1894.

WITN SSES: v INVENTOHS! Maw/mac, JOHN KHowE'ANrJ fl w Y JAMES CLARK,

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet s.

. J. K. HOWE 8: J. CLARK, ENGINE FOR OPERATING GLUTGEES OR OTHER DEVICES.

No. 530,994. I Patented Dec. 18, 1894.

WITNESSES! NVENTORS. Mg JOHN KHowE AND 6 M 44 \5 JAMES CLARK,

' wwnmav JAMES OL'A'RKb tion. I

UNITED; ST T S- PATENT o t cs.-

' JoHNjKl HOWEQAND JAMESCLARK, on 'ALBAN'Y, iIEw Y ORK.-

.- ENGIN E F OiR OIQPEJRATING CILUTVCHES O OTHER DEVICES SPECIFICATIUN-formingpart o f Lettersratent'hfp. 530,994, dated December 18,1894.

Application tiled June 6,1394. steam. 513,666. Nbmodel.)

To all whom/it may mam; I

Be it known thatwe, JQHNj K. HOWE and 0th of Albany, in the county- 'of Albany andState of New. York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Engines for Operating Clutches or other Dev1ces, of which the followingis a specifica- Our invention relates to improvements in clutch-operating mechanisms for machines in which it is necessary tosuspend -and-restore to action, certain functions of parts of the machine .withopt interfering with the op- 'eration of other parts,' and;the object of our invention is to provide facilities for operatr ing clutch-mechanisms, but especially friction-clntch -mecl1an-isms, with. such ease,

promptitude and positiveness that they can be relied upon with certainty and safety, and

by which the force applied to africtionclutch can be varied or I graduated to any.

point between a minimum and a maximum tor.ce requlredto.operate the. clutch; said graduation-being effected by-movin'g an op-v erating-lever through a lesser or greater are," as in hand-operated c1utch mechanisms. This object weat-tainby'the mechanism illustrated .in the accompanying -drawings;'whi ch are herein referred to and form part of this speci fication, andin which Figure 1 is. a combined longitudinal section and side elevation of the steam-cylinder and its connected, parts; Fig: 2, a vertical-v section of Fig. l at the irregular line X- X; Fig. 3, 'anenlarged and detached 'longitudinalsection'of the tubular valvefshowing the;

(auxiliary piston for the same in SiGGBIBVa-Q tion; -Fig. 4, a plan view ofa'portion of a le-=. ver'for transmitting power tothe clutch? mechanism} Figif', a front elevation of the trunnion-block for said Ie'ver; Fig.6, an end elevation oflt'he mm; Fig. 7, a side eleva- ;tiori 'ofour invention applied tov the friction; clutch ot-aihoisting-drum; and Fig. 8,a side elevation of ourinvention applied directly toi the screw of alclutch-operatingmechanism.

In many machines, wherein .it. becomes necessary thatthe operation of; SQiIlGrOfi the parts- '-shonld .be suddenl-ysuspended, and as suddenly resrimed,- it is frequently "found that 'manua llyioperated clutchmechanisms are .inefficient for performing the work in a prompt and satisfactory manner, and this defeet 'is most frequently observed in large machines and where the work to be performed is heavy.

clutch-operatingmechanism; the outer end of which is designed'to remain open, but the which forms a closure for thesame. Superimposed on the cylinder A, there is an auxiliary cylinder, 0, which is arranged toform :a valve-chest, as hereinafter explained, and,

and extending to the inner end of the cylinsteam, orother fluid, into the main. cylinder.

E is a piston fitted to move in the cylinder A, and said piston is provided with a suitable packing, F, for forming a tight'joint with the bore of said cylinder. Said piston is also profor affording a connection from said piston piston. The return stroke of the latter is ef=' H-iS at here of the'auxiliary cylinder 0; theopposite extremities of said valve being alone fitted to fluid-tight joint therewith,* 'the intermediate \ana'nnnlar opening, 3, between the valveand' circnniferential rowof openings, 4, through which steam, or other fluid,-can pass from the bore of said valve, thence through the annuder A there is a pa'ssage D, for conveying [the bore of thecyIinderC, and saidopening. is-alwa'ys in free com niunication-with the pas sage D, and,'leading from the interior of the valve H into said annular opening, there is'a As represented in the accompanying drawv ings,'A d esignates'the main cylinder for our;

opposite end is provided with. ahead, B,

leading from near the middle of the latter videdwitha lug, G, or othersuitable means; a

with --the mechanism to which it is directly ;connected,f Th'e outward stroke of the pis- 7 ton 'E is efiected byadirectpressure ofsteam, .or otherfluid, 'againstth-e inner face of said I fected in the manner hereinafterexplained, V

fibula-am fitted to toe it; "the fillthe boreof saidcylinder, so as to form a portion of; said valvebetween said extremi}. ties-being reduced in diameter so as to leave.

lar opening 3 and passage D, into the main cylinder'A. Theinner portion of the bore of the valve H is enlarged, to form a shoulder 'h, for a purpose hereinafter explained, and the corresponding endof said valve has a head, 5, secured therein, and said head is provided with one or more openings, 6, whose purpose will be explained herein. Extending centrally from the head 5, there is a stem, 7, which after passing through a stufiing-box, 8, formed on a head, 9, that forms a closure for the corresponding end of the cylinder 0- is provided with a lug orlugs,10, detachably attached thereto.

I is an operating-lever which is fulcrumed, as at 11, to a bracket, '12, and is connectedby links, 13, to the lug 10, for the purpose of imparting suitable movements to the valve H. At the foremost end of the auxiliary cylinder 0, an induction-pipe, 14, is arranged to communicate with the bore of said cylinder for the purpose of conveying a supply of steam, or other fluid under pressure, into the cylinder 0; and at the opposite end of the latter an eduction-pipe, 15, is arranged to conduct the spent steam, or other fluid froln the cylinder C.

J is a piston fitted to forma steam-tight joint with the bore of the tubular valve H; said piston should be of sufficient length'to cover the openings 4 and form a lapat the opposite sides of said openings, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Extending centrally from thepiston J, there is a piston-rod, 16, which passes through a stuffing-box, 17, on a head, 18, that forms a closure for the forward end of the cylinder 0, and the outer end of said pistonrod is provided with a lug, 19, which is detachably attached thereto.

K is a lever secured to a shaft, 20, journaled in a frame-work, 21,.so as to receivean oscillatin g motion therein; said lever has a pendent arm, 22, whose lower end is connectedby a connecting-rod,.23to the piston E, so that the movements of said piston will be transmitted to the lever K. The-piston-rod 16 is connected-by links, 24,-to the arm 22 at a point intermediate between the shaft 20 and the point whereto the connecting-rod 23 is connected.

As shown in Fig. 1, the lever Kvis of a bellcrank form-but our invention is not limited to that particular form of lever, for it is ob-. vious that any other form will be equally good for our purposeand it has a horizontal arm, 25, that is bifurcated to receive a trunnion-block, 26, having oppositely-located trunnions, 27, ranging in line with each other and fitted to engagein notches, 28, formed in the arm 25, so as to vary the distance between the centers of said trunnions and of the shaft 20 when, occasion may require. Cheek-plates, 29,,which are detachably secured to the arm 25, are fitted to receive the outer ends of the trunnions 27 and retain the latter in the notches 28. The trunnion-block 26 is provided with an opening, 30, in which is fixed a rod, 31, whose upper end is provided with adjusting-nuts, 32, for regulating the length of said rod as occasion may require. Said rod may be connected 'in'any suitable manner to a clutch-mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 7, the rod 31 connects with a pair of levers, 3.5 and 36, of unequal length and arranged to form a species of toggle-joint. One end of both of said levers is'jointed to the rod 31, the opposite end of the lever 35 being fulcrumed to a lug, 37, formed on a pillow-block, R, in which one end of a drum-shaft, S, is journaled. Qne endof the lever 36 is jointed to the movable end of a lever, 38, fulcrunied to the pillow-block R, and'the difierential movements of the levers 35 and 36 willcause the upper end of the lever 38 to move toward the pillow-block R with powerful elfect. An adjustable-bolt, 40, is inserted in the lever 38 and arranged to bear against the outer end of a pin, 41, which is centrally placed in the shaft S so as to move loosely therein. The inner end of said "pin is fitted to bear against a transverse gib, 42, loosely fitted in said shaft and arranged to bear against-a loose collar, 43, having a slidingmovement on the shaft S. The inner face of ,the collar 43 is fitted to bear against a hub of a hoisting-drum, Q, which is loosely fitted on the shaft S and is provided with one part of a friction-clutch, 44, of an old and well-known form which forms no part of our invention. T is a gear-wheel that is secured to theshaft Sand is provided with acomplementary part, 45, of said friction-clutch; the parts 44 and 45 being fittedjto frictionally engage with each other,whenthe drum Q is forced into connection with the gear-wheel ,T-so that said wheel, shaft, and drum will vent the valve H from being'prematurely moved by the inflowing fluid, the operatinglever I should be securely held in a position where its openings 4 will be safely closed by the piston J. Then, bymoving the valve H toward the induction-pipe 14, the openings 4 will beuncovered to allow the fluid-pressure to pass through them into the annular-opening 3, and thence, through the passage D, into the inner end of the cylinder A, where draw the rod 31 upwardly, and the levers 35 1 its force will be exerted to drive the piston and 36 willbe operated toforc'e the two parts of the friction-clutchtogether so that the drum Q will be rotated by, ,and with, the gear-wheel T. To disengage the parts of the r friction-clutch, the valveH should be moved-e by theoperating-lever I'toward the educ- I, 15. pipe 15, from 4,i either partiallyor entirely, fro'm being closed by the pistou J, and'so that said openings will I 5 eduction-pipe 15. By.'this movement of the valveH thepress'urein the cylinder AWillbdissipated-either suddenly or gradually, ac-

cordin'gto the degree to which the uncovering of the openings 4 vis-effect ed-by the'steam, IO '01" other fluid, escaping from-the cylinder A through the passage D, intothe annular-pas. sage 3, thence throughthe openings 4"into the valve'H, and thence, through the openings 6 and auxiliary-cylinder O,'into theeductioninto the atmosphere or other suitable place. By the last described movement of-the valve H, the-shoulders h, of'said valve, canbe car'- ried into .contact with the'outer face-of the piston J,'and the power applied to the oper atiug-leven I, will supplement by the. press-' parts of the friction-clutc In the modification of our-invention shown,

in Fig. 8, which isalso designed' for operat- -z-ing friction-clutches of the classwhich has its movable part moved into, and out of,'gear.

. 3o I p v with the other part-by means-cf other similar means, L designates the mechanism (hereinbefore describedrfor operating a screw 01,

3m an arm, M, which is attached end of ascrew,-N, arranged to move the movable part of a friction-clutch, and, for the parpose of obtaining-aquick movement of said movable part, said scre'wfis preferably-made 4c m-ulti-threaded in the usua'lmanne'r of mali ing a ready adj u stment of spect'to said-movableparn the armM; is proing-screw 34, arranged to draw thetwo parts of said hub toward'each other so as to se: curelyclamp the arm Mv to "the screw N after in the same mannerthat thelike. partsa-re connected tothe bell-crank of Fig. 1 Dis the housing: fora hoisting-drum, which is sub! stantially the same as theone shownin Fig.

7 saiddrum' being rotated by-means of a.

spnnwheel and pinionindicatedby dotted lines in Eig.' 8.- P is the "movable part ofthe 6:0 ;-'friction-clut'ch," which is substantially the same as'the' one hereinbefore described, and Y "which is moved into, and out of, gearwith the complementary part of said friction v elutchwhich is attached t'othe spur -wheel. 6'5 j -In the modification of our inventiomju'st described,--t theiiarm M is connected to 'the main-and an3zi1iarypistouof the operating] 'tion-pipe 15, thereby preventing the openings,

lie betweensaid piston and the whence it may be discharged in creased or v fquire. {When-the frictiohcl'utch-is to'be op- :00 v the bell-crank. lever K-of. Fig-'1), connected Y to'the outer 'ing such screws. For the purpose of afford-J saidscr-ew in revided with -asplit hnb, 33,.havinga clam'p said arm has beenadjusted to a reqiiired position on said screw. The main-piston and- IV-i I. mechanism ln-the manner h'erelubefore described in trespectto their connection with the bell-crank lever-K.

In' eitherf form of-ourinvention, when'itis essential to applysufficientcforce to retain the i parts ofa friction-clutch in such a condition of contact that" there can be no -slipping of said parts, thevalveH should be moved for- 7 5 ward-tothe full extent of its intended travel, wherebythe piston E will be forced forward to effect the,required"end,-and this condition can be maintained'as long asthe openings 5; remain open, for the admission of steamv o r -8Q other fluid-pressure. If, however, it is only necessary to apply sufficient forceto allow the parts of the friction-clutch to slip upon each othen with more :-or less,freedom,the vvalve H should be moved forward far enough 8' to slightlyjuncover the openings 4; from the;

piston J,and the-adn1itt ed pressure, acting upon the piston E to move the latter outward,

will carry the parts of the friction-clutch into contact, and the*time-of such con tact and its 90 degree can beregulated by the movement of the valve H by means of the operating-lever I. o By the outward movement oflthe piston E- thepiston J will be moved forward toclose 'either'partially or entireiy'the, openings 4, audit is obvious that, byslight movements Ofthe valve H'in the required directionsfthe' 1 pressure on the friction-clutch 'fcan be in-' diminished as occasion may reerated as a 'brake, while aweightis pendent r on the hoisting-drum, the valve Hshouldbe moved inwardly toallow the openings 4* to communicate with the eductiontpip'e 15, said 7 openings being butysli'ghtly uncovered fort- 5 this purpose, and the pressure acting against the inner face of the nistonE willbe reduced "proportionately,tozthe opening afi orded for,

the escape'of"the pressure and the time that "is allowed for 'such escape, for it shouldjfbe 1ro "understood that this escape can be checked instantly by a proper movement ot' the valve H, bu-t,-;'while' such pressure is escaping, the

vpressure on the outer face of thczp'isfonJwiil force the piston E inwardly, and thisinw-a-rd' [p5 movement fwill con tinue unti-l' the piston J .closes the communication between the openings 4-;a'ndthe eduction-pipe 15,'whereup0 n thepressurle con fined in the .cylinderA w llforcibly hold the parts of the clutch in suffi- 12o cien't fric'tional contact to allow anoperative' to retain command of the suspended weight,- and, as hereinbefore'stated, the pressure can be either augmented or diminished, by proper movementsof the valve H; and it will read-,1 z 5 ilybese'e'n thatthe point at which the move- 'm'entof the. pistons E and J will terminatetin either direction-by the closing of the openings 4 -wii l be determined by the position "oftheilever 1 in thehand's of the ope rat'or,' a'nd 3o f-thatthe degree. and direction of the move ment of the piston -IE will correspofid exactly to the'degreeand direction of said leveryas' in handoperated frictionclutches.

While we have shown and described our invention as applied to operating clutch mechanisms, we do not limit it to such uses, for it can be applied withoutfurther invention as a means for operating many different kinds of mechanisms. r

What we claim as our joint invention, and

desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

' rectly upon said piston,

1. The combination of a main-cylinder, an auxiliary-cylinder connected to said maincylinder by means of a passage communicat ing with the bores of both of said cylinders;

each of the latter being provided with a' piston connected to a lover or arm that is coin- 'mon to both pistons, and the auxiliary-piston being arranged in such manner that only one of its endswill be exposed to the pressure of which leads into one end-and an ednctionpipe leading from the opposite end of the same, a tubular-valve fitted toslide .in the bore ofthe auxiliary-cylinder and having its periphery arrangedvto form an annular-passage between said valve andthe bore of the auxiliary-cylinder; said annularpassage forming a constantly-open communication with a passage leading into the bore of the main-cylinder, an opening or openings leading'from the bore of said valve intothe anpolar-passage, a piston fitted-to movein the the openings of the bore of said valve and arranged to govern latter into the ann:ular-' passage, a manually-operated lever con nected to said valve, and ;an arm pr lever. to which the main-piston and auxiliary-piston are both connected, as and-for the purpose specified. 3; The combination of a ma'in-cylinder'procylinder;

vided with a piston fitted to reciprocate theresage that leadsinto the main-cylinder, a tubular-valve which controls the admission and emission of steam into and from said mainsaid valve being connterbored to form a shoulder near the middle of the valve, an auxiliary-piston the larger bore of said valve, connected to both of said pistons, and an operating-lever connected to said valve; whereby the latter can be;moved so that its shoulder will: take against the auxiliary-piston to eifect an initial inward movement 0f the main-piston, as and for the purpose specified. l. The-combination 0E amain-piston, an auxiliary-piston, a lover or arm to which both of said pistons are connected; both of said pistons being arranged to move in unison, and a buffer-spring arranged to receive the impact of the main-piston, as and for the purpose specified;

a lever or arm move reciprocally in formed in said valve; be automatically 7 closed by said piston while the latter is movingin either direction, as herein-specified.

6. The combination of a cylinder, atnbnlarvalve whose extremities are'fitted to the bore of said cylinder and whose body is reduced in diameter to form an annular-passage between said body and the bore of the cylinder; one end of said valve being open and the opposite end being provided with a head containingan opening or openings; the body of 'said valve being provided with an opening or openingswhich lead from the bore of the valve into said: annular-passage, and a piston fitted to reciprocate in the alve; said piston being arranged, to automatically close the openings leading from the as and for-the purpose specified;

om sso-LA K.

WM. H. Low,

in, an auxiliary-cylinder provided with a pas-' fitted to reciprocate in 5. The combination of a manually-operated.

bore of the valve into'said annular-passage,-

JOHN K. HOWE.

bore'of said 6- 

